THE MANAGEMENT OF CANCER OF THE BREAST IN THE ELDERLY

Breast cancer in older women continues to be a clinical problem and th erapeutic challenge. The clinical presentation, biological characteris tics and survival rates are comparable between older and younger women with breast cancer. Treatment of breast cancer in older nomen should aim to ensure satisfactory control of locoregional disease and prolong ation of survival, for as long a period as possible. Optimal surgical therapy should be as for younger patients and adjuvant therapies may b e required (considering side-effects and benefits). However, randomize d trials are required to clarify the role of adjuvant treatments in ol der patients.